Latke and Cocktail Pairings

Hanukkah is one of my favorite Jewish holidays and not only because it has eights nights of presents. The holiday of Hanukkah is accompanied by a bevy of delicious treats, most notably the potato pancake, or latke. This crisp and savory potato cake takes center stage in most Jewish homes during Hanukkah thanks to its tie-in with the holiday’s history. Why not improve upon the potato latke by creating a delicious cocktail to accompany it?

In my house, the potato latkes are the one thing I really look forward to during Hanukkah. They are salty and crispy, with lots of butter and oil to make each bite both crunchy and luxurious at the same time. When looking for cocktails to pair with such a powerful snack, I lean toward spirits that do well with salty foods, such as scotch or bourbon. I would also go for a drink that has a hint of sweetness to it to contrast the savory potato cake. For some great latke recipes, check out some of our favorites over at What's Cookin'.

In no way do these cocktails have to be over the top. Because the ingredients in the potato latke are so strong and flavor-forward, the accompanied cocktail should serve simply as something to wash down the salty flavor and neutralize it.

Below are some great cocktails to pair with your potato latkes this Hanukkah. If you aren’t celebrating the festival of lights this year, do not fret. Potato latkes are an equal opportunity snack! Cheers, and happy Hanukkah!